For the second consecutive year, the Center for International Development (CID) at Harvard University has been named the 2nd best university think tank in the world by UPenn's 2016 Think Tank Index.
The Index – produced annually by The Civil Societies Program at the University of Pennsylvania’s Lauder Institute – considers six thousand organizations globally. More than 2,500 university faculty and administrators, journalists, policymakers, think tank scholars, executives and donors contribute to the process. Quality of leadership, staff and research, along with impact on policymakers are some of the ranking criteria.
"We are honored to be selected once again by our peers as one of the top think tanks in the world. While we do not have the same resources as many of the other institutions featured in the index, we are proud to see that the work done by our team of researchers and staff is having a relevant impact on the development dialogue," said Ricardo Hausmann, director of the Center for International Development.
During 2016 CID engaged in research initiatives in 13 countries, reaching 5 continents and working directly with key policymakers. Projects include trade data visualization tools in Colombia and Mexico; work on social protection policies in Indonesia; and building state capability in Albania and Sri Lanka. The Center has also trained more than 1,000 civil servants, policymakers and private sector executives through 6 different executive education programs, reaching over 60 countries worldwide.
This marks the 3rd consecutive year CID has ranked top 5 in the university-affiliated category and 8th time CID has appeared in the index.
Two additional Harvard Kennedy School centers are recognized; the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs (#1 university affiliated) and the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation (#32 university affiliated).